Last Modified: Thursday, May 2, 2013 at 7:29 p.m.

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The grand jury interviewed Blair and several other commanders from the Marion County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday, then issued a presentment to Judge Hale Stancil. While the exact nature of the grand jury inquiry is secret, there is strong evidence that the panel was reviewing an allegation that Blair violated campaign finance laws when he was seeking election to the office in the fall.

For one thing, Blair himself was called to testify, and the grand jury deliberations were led by 8th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Cervone, who investigated the campaign finance allegations against Blair after local State Attorney Brad King asked to be excused from the case.

Also testifying was an agent for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement who initially investigated the claim against Blair.

By law, copies of the presentment are provided to everyone named in the report, and it is sealed for 15 days to give those people an opportunity to challenge the release of the document.

But Cervone noted Thursday that the document may be released to the public sooner if those named in the presentment waive their right to challenge the grand jury's findings.

Cervone, however, would not discuss the contents of the presentment or whether the grand jury had decided to issue indictments against anyone.

The fact that the grand jury has issued a report on the case does not necessarily mean an indictment is forthcoming. In fact, legal experts say, a presentment can be issued when a grand jury clears someone of wrongdoing.

If someone named in the presentment decides to challenge it, he or she would have to file a motion with the court. The fact that a motion was filed would become public knowledge, but the reasons for filing it would remain sealed, Cervone said.

The judge would then schedule a hearing to consider arguments. That hearing would not be open to the public.

The allegation against Blair dates back to October, when an anonymous tipster accused him of violating campaign finance laws. Then-Sheriff Ed Dean said the tip was detailed and specific, so he passed it along to Florida Department of Law Enforcement to be investigated.

The exact details of the allegation have not been disclosed by investigators assigned to look into the matter.

The FDLE investigated the claim, then handed its findings to Cervone for review.

It is believed that Cervone laid out FDLE's and his findings for the grand jury.

The grand jury has wide latitude in dealing with allegations against public officials. If the jurors believe a crime has been committed, they can issue an indictment, which allows the state attorney to seek warrants for the official's arrest.

They can also exonerate someone accused of a crime. Or they can do neither, but may choose to criticize an official's behavior and recommend changes in governmental procedures.

In addition to Blair, several commanders from the Sheriff's Office also were called to testify before the grand jury Wednesday. Those included Chief Deputy Fred LaTorre and Don Maines, head of the sheriff's new Professional Compliance Bureau. Both men were key players in Blair's election campaign.

LaTorre and Maines each said Thursday that they do not have attorneys but had no further comment on the grand jury presentment.

Blair likewise was mum about his grand jury testimony but reiterated what he said Wednesday — that his attorney is in communication with Cervone.

<p>The public may not have to wait the full 15 days to see a grand jury report believed to be about Sheriff Chris Blair.</p><p>The grand jury interviewed Blair and several other commanders from the Marion County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday, then issued a presentment to Judge Hale Stancil. While the exact nature of the grand jury inquiry is secret, there is strong evidence that the panel was reviewing an allegation that Blair violated campaign finance laws when he was seeking election to the office in the fall.</p><p>For one thing, Blair himself was called to testify, and the grand jury deliberations were led by 8th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Cervone, who investigated the campaign finance allegations against Blair after local State Attorney Brad King asked to be excused from the case.</p><p>Also testifying was an agent for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement who initially investigated the claim against Blair.</p><p>By law, copies of the presentment are provided to everyone named in the report, and it is sealed for 15 days to give those people an opportunity to challenge the release of the document.</p><p>But Cervone noted Thursday that the document may be released to the public sooner if those named in the presentment waive their right to challenge the grand jury's findings.</p><p>Cervone, however, would not discuss the contents of the presentment or whether the grand jury had decided to issue indictments against anyone.</p><p>The fact that the grand jury has issued a report on the case does not necessarily mean an indictment is forthcoming. In fact, legal experts say, a presentment can be issued when a grand jury clears someone of wrongdoing.</p><p>If someone named in the presentment decides to challenge it, he or she would have to file a motion with the court. The fact that a motion was filed would become public knowledge, but the reasons for filing it would remain sealed, Cervone said.</p><p>The judge would then schedule a hearing to consider arguments. That hearing would not be open to the public.</p><p>The allegation against Blair dates back to October, when an anonymous tipster accused him of violating campaign finance laws. Then-Sheriff Ed Dean said the tip was detailed and specific, so he passed it along to Florida Department of Law Enforcement to be investigated.</p><p>The exact details of the allegation have not been disclosed by investigators assigned to look into the matter.</p><p>The FDLE investigated the claim, then handed its findings to Cervone for review.</p><p>It is believed that Cervone laid out FDLE's and his findings for the grand jury.</p><p>The grand jury has wide latitude in dealing with allegations against public officials. If the jurors believe a crime has been committed, they can issue an indictment, which allows the state attorney to seek warrants for the official's arrest.</p><p>They can also exonerate someone accused of a crime. Or they can do neither, but may choose to criticize an official's behavior and recommend changes in governmental procedures.</p><p>In addition to Blair, several commanders from the Sheriff's Office also were called to testify before the grand jury Wednesday. Those included Chief Deputy Fred LaTorre and Don Maines, head of the sheriff's new Professional Compliance Bureau. Both men were key players in Blair's election campaign.</p><p>LaTorre and Maines each said Thursday that they do not have attorneys but had no further comment on the grand jury presentment.</p><p>Blair likewise was mum about his grand jury testimony but reiterated what he said Wednesday — that his attorney is in communication with Cervone.</p>